A letter to my Odie

Odie, where are you now? Are you happy where you are? I just spoke to your daddy on the phone. He mentioned that he left a lot of food for you. Cookies,madeleine,biscotti,those buns from your grandpa and lots more!WOW, what a lucky dog! =) But please behave ya my son. Eating too much junk isn't really that good for your teeth and for your health. You know when you were little, you hated your food. Mommy had to jump up and down, made lots of funny faces and noises, had to feed you like a monkey and you still never wanted to eat your food voluntarily. Sigh, mommy was really mad. Did you know that? It's a chore feeding you back then. But mommy never loved you less.

Two years went by, you celebrated your 2nd birthday. Mommy witnessed something different in you. You were more mature. You ate your food like a hungry wolf each day. Must be the hormone kicking in. Hehe. Mommy was very glad. But you were still acting like a kiddo! You stopped chewing your daddy's shoes but you dragged mommy wherever we went! I could only see the leash but not you! You were already 2 miles ahead of me! Daddy asked mommy when can we let you offleash. Mommy said "NEVER"! That's because mommy was afraid, you might run away. You made your 'gu jeh" tripped and fell. You made mommy crazy trying to chase after you. But odie, mommy never loved you less.

Third birthday. You ate your birthday cake. You ran around the table, waiting to blow the candles. It was as if you knew the cake was for you and you were the star of the day. Mommy said cake was bad for you but we still gave it to you anyway. Sigh, who wouldn't want to spoil you my dear. =) You were bigger and your coat was really beautiful. I'm a proud mommy. Everybody complimented how beautiful you were. I guess maybe that's why you were quite a snob. haha..but mommy never loved you less.

Odie, your fourth birthday. You were a mature dog, we thought. We went hiking together. You ran like a wild rooster!!You ran up and down the hill! Mommy couldn't help shouting at you for being naughty. You were supposed to show and guide mommy the path but you went berserk like a crazy dog! Mommy remembered the flea bites from hiking. Mommy had to bring you to the clinic the next day. We went to Tahoe. You loved the snow so much! You ran like a mad cow this time. Gosh! You chased after mommy that day. haha...daddy still has the clips from that day. =) Mommy threw snow at you but you didn't know how to duck. =P
You ate the snow. Daddy said no. Mommy said yes. You ate a lot that day. I bet your stomach must have felt uncomfortable. You slept with mommy and daddy in the hotel that night. You snored and you woke mommy up. It's okay son, mommy never loved you less.

Fifth birthday. Sadness was surrounding us. You were not well my dear. Your rear leg wasn't co-operating with your right. You had a tumor in there. Mommy and daddy brought you to sausalito. You acted like your usual self. You tried to catch the wave!! Mommy snapped a lot of pictures. =) Mommy knew, your fifth might be your last. Never thought our days together would end so soon my son. Mommy knew you were in pain. Yet, you were strong and ready to fight it! Mommy was so proud of you. Mommy and daddy would bring you to the park everyday, remember? You loved to eat the grass. Mommy started naming you "cow". You still ran despite the tumor restricting your movement. Son, tennis ball was your life right? You would do anything for it. =)
Daddy named you charlie chaplin. haha, and let's not tell people why. Mommy never loved you less.

Now that you are gone, mommy wept. Mommy never wept so much in her life. I'm sorry my son. Mommy could not be with you to share your agony and pain. Odie, my heart beats for you now. Every single heartbeat. Each day, mommy will look at some old pictures of you. Mommy can't stop smiling. You brought a lot of joy to mommy's life. You were such a good son. Only you have the power to make mommy smile and cry. We will see each other again someday. Mommy will never love you less.